At any given time in the state of Alabama, hundreds of children in
foster care are awaiting a loving and caring adoptive home. Many have
never felt the warmth and joy that comes from a forever family. Most
have been placed in agency custody due to parental neglect or physical
abuse. The good news is that the lives of these children can be
brightened forever by just one person - you.

By adopting a child, you not only help a child grow up in a loving and
caring environment, you share in the vision of a bright, positive
future. Adoption not only enriches the life of a child, but enriches
yours as well. The Department of Human Resources recruits and prepares
families willing to open their hearts and homes to waiting children.

Many of the children awaiting a family have special needs. These are
deserving children from a variety of backgrounds and with varying needs.
Some may require extra guidance and love for them to realize their full
potential. Others may require more dedicated care and attention due to
their physical, mental, or emotional issues. Regardless, all of these
children need a forever home. Children with special needs may qualify for financial
assistance, called adoption subsidy,
and Medicaid.

Who are "special needs" children?

Any child age five or older.

Children with a background of parental substance abuse, mental illness
or mental retardation that places them at risk.

Children with various degrees of mental, physical or emotional problems.

A sibling group of two or more placed at the same time with the same
family.

When adopting from the Department of Human Resources, the
Department charges no fees for the adoption home
study (which includes 30 hours of training) nor for the placement of
children. Expenses are generally limited to the costs of criminal
history record checks and obtaining medicals on all household family
members.

DHR awarded $750,000 grant to improve child care servicesMONTGOMERY-The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) has been awarded a grant by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) to help expand high-quality early learning opportunities for young infants and toddlers by providing core operating support for the Early Head Start Child-Care Partnership (EHS-CCP).